Episode #12: Megan Bruneau

On the heels of last week’s conversation with Alexis from Hummusapien, I felt it was necessary that we jump more into this idea that perhaps the “wellness industry” is doing more harm than good. I know, this is perhaps somewhat surprising coming from someone who in pretty much every way contributes to this industry.

I live and breathe wellness, but I also can recognize that perhaps sometimes I’m too “in it” to really have any perspective on the impact of my own business, both good and bad.

So I invited someone hugely inspiring to me, who is leading the charge of this wellness conversation onto the show to discuss this very topic. I’m honored and excited that Megan Bruneau agreed to join me for Episode #12!

In early January, just as everyone was declaring this health and wellness resolutions to the world, I found myself doing a purge of my social media channels for just this very reason. I respect whatever choices you make for your health, but anyone declaring they’re doing Whole30 for the 7th time or eliminating sugar because it’s the devil is too triggering for me. I may be in a great place with my health and with my body, but I’m not immune to questioning my own habits. For this reason, it was important that for me that I surround myself with images and people that support my beliefs, and don’t cause me to put them into question.

So I purged and at the advice of my friend, Katie Dalebout, I filled my feed with people and messages that lifted me up. And somewhere along the way I discovered Megan. I appreciated that Megan was having conversations about health, wellness and happiness that no one else was having. She forced me to question my own behaviors in a positive way. She made me more aware and added this much needed perspective that I’d lost in getting so wrapped up in this industry.

This is why Megan is on the show today.

Here are some topics we tap into in today’s episode:

Megan’s own history with eating disorders and body image

The negative implications of the wellness industry on young men and women

Social media and advice for influencers and consumers on how to be a more critical voice

Privilege in the wellness industry and why we need to be acknowledging it

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4 Comments

I’m only half way through this episode Davida, and I’m LOVING the conversation so far! Like you, I feel partially responsible for the messages (both positive and negative) and ideas coming out of the wellness industry. This episode and the one with Alexis has really made me think critically about the message I choose to share, and I can’t wait to listen to the rest tonight. Awesome job on the podcast, as always!Angela Simpson recently posted…Detox Salad with Ginger Miso Tahini Dressing

Thank you so much, lovely. But as my friend Alexis from Hummusapien said in the previous episode, I think we are all humble enough to realize and own our mistakes and bring positivity and health at every size moving forward. Lots of love!

This was awesome. Love how organic the discussion is. Lately I have been thinking about not labelling my recipes and posts as “vegan” “paleo” and so on, anymore. I have also felt pressured to use labels to help people easily distinguish which recipes meet their dietary needs but the words feed into the orthorexic mind frame.
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Also, I am very grateful that IG didn’t exist when I was battling eating disorders and exercise addiction. I think it would have made recovery much more difficult and confusing. I am lucky to have tools from “unlearning” self destructive so that social media doesn’t affect my personal value. However, I am concerned for young people who don’t know any other way – comparing themselves to their social followers is all they have know and I know it’s a tough habit to break